Parramatta Eels appoint Brad Arthur as coach ahead of Jason Taylor

Parramatta has appointed Brad Arthur as its first grade coach for the next three season, ending speculation Jason Taylor was a certainty for the job.

Arthur won the race for the position following an Eels boardroom backflip and he will take the reins from Ricky Stuart, who resigned last month.

Chairman Steve Sharp had told Arthur the job was his if he wanted it earlier this month after interviewing Test coach Tim Sheens and Brian Smith, and was furious when he was outvoted 3-2 by the board last week.

But in a dramatic last-ditch attempt to convince the board on Tuesday night, Sharp was successful with the club opting for Arthur after telling Taylor the job was his.

Taylor was still waiting to hear on Tuesday night if his position had been rubber-stamped after agreeing in principle to a two-year contract.

Arthur previously worked at the club as an assistant to Stephen Kearney before taking over in a temporary capacity when the New Zealand coach was sacked late in the 2012 season.

He managed to win two of his six matches, beating Brisbane and the Sydney Roosters, and was very popular with the players.

The former Melbourne Storm assistant has spent this season working alongside Manly head coach Geoff Toovey and helped the Sea Eagles reach the grand final.

"To return as a head coach in an area and a club where I played football as a young man is extremely humbling and very exciting," Arthur said in a statement.

"I have full confidence in the playing roster for next year, as well as the people at the Parramatta Eels to get this club moving in the right direction."

Arthur, who was a leading contender for the North Queensland head coaching position that went to Paul Green, will begin his post at the Eels next month.

Eels chief executive Scott Seward has lauded the appointment as the start of a new era for the club.

"This has been a thorough process and both myself and the PNRL Board are incredibly satisfied with this result," he said.

Taylor will now remain at the Roosters where he is the club's attack coach.

The 42-year-old has many admirers from his time at the Eels in 2006 when he guided the team into the finals after Smith departed midway through the season.

Taylor moved to South Sydney but left under a cloud in 2009 after a mad Monday incident involving David Fa'aologo that left the him with a black eye.